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Miss Archer: 'Gothic drama meets a dystopian thriller with jaw-dropping twists ... as wise as it is addictive' Maria Semple
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11 days and 12:12:37
25 copies available
U.S. only
'Gothic drama meets a dystopian thriller with jaw-dropping twists ... as wise as it is addictive' Maria Semple, author of Go Gentle
Growing up in the Squares, Dre Archer was always told human history was over. Until the day she is plucked from all she knows, and recruited as governess to an enigmatic five-year-old boy. Albie is rash, emotionally obtuse, and possibly a genius. He also believes the year is 1884—two centuries before Dre was born. Everyone working at his family’s grand Victorian manor strives to maintain the illusion, keeping the modern world safely outside their doors. Dre is expected to follow along and not ask questions.
At first, Dre works hard to embody her role as ‘Miss Archer’, with comportment lessons and corsets. But somewhere along the way, the performance begins to feel real—as does her bond with this singular boy. Slowly she is overwhelmed by questions: Why the weird adherence to the 19th century, when it’s the dawn of the 22nd? Why has she never met Albie’s elusive parents? Who are her shadowy employers? And what is her job, really?
In her mounting determination to unlock these mysteries, Dre finds herself flouting the draconian rules of the house. As a series of Russian doll-like revelations brings her closer to the truth, Dre must go to dangerous lengths to protect her young charge, who she has, without quite meaning to, come to love as her own.
Growing up in the Squares, Dre Archer was always told human history was over. Until the day she is plucked from all she knows, and recruited as governess to an enigmatic five-year-old boy. Albie is rash, emotionally obtuse, and possibly a genius. He also believes the year is 1884—two centuries before Dre was born. Everyone working at his family’s grand Victorian manor strives to maintain the illusion, keeping the modern world safely outside their doors. Dre is expected to follow along and not ask questions.
At first, Dre works hard to embody her role as ‘Miss Archer’, with comportment lessons and corsets. But somewhere along the way, the performance begins to feel real—as does her bond with this singular boy. Slowly she is overwhelmed by questions: Why the weird adherence to the 19th century, when it’s the dawn of the 22nd? Why has she never met Albie’s elusive parents? Who are her shadowy employers? And what is her job, really?
In her mounting determination to unlock these mysteries, Dre finds herself flouting the draconian rules of the house. As a series of Russian doll-like revelations brings her closer to the truth, Dre must go to dangerous lengths to protect her young charge, who she has, without quite meaning to, come to love as her own.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 5, 2027
About the author
Jordan Harrison
19 books20 followersJordan Harrison was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for his play MARJORIE PRIME, which was recently revived on Broadway. His other plays include THE ANTIQUITIES, MAPLE AND VINE, and THE AMATEURS. Harrison is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and the Horton Foote Prize for Best New American Play. As a screenwriter, his credits include three seasons as writer/producer of the Netflix original series ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK. Harrison is a graduate of Stanford University and the Brown MFA Creative Writing program. MISS ARCHER is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Miss Archer follows Dre Archer who grew up in the Squares and was always told human history was over. One day, she gets recruited as a governess to a five-year-old boy called Albie. Albie has the potential to be a genius but he acts his age often and struggles to read people’s emotions. Albie believes the year is 1884 which is two centuries before Dre was born. Albie lives in a Victorian mansion and believes he is in Germany. All the staff have to maintain the illusion. Dre works hard to become a proper Victorian lady and she quickly bonds with Albie. Dre starts to believe she is actually living in the Victorian era but it is actually the dawn of the 22nd century. Dre wants to know where Albie’s parents are and what she is actually doing with Albie so she starts to flout the rules. Dre has come to love Albie and wants to protect him but that means discovering what’s really going on and uncovering the truth about the false 19th century.
I really enjoyed this book and I think this will be a huge hit for 2027 book releases. This book is written well and it has a lot of intrigue. I don’t want to say too much about this book because to say too much would spoil it. I would recommend going in blind for this book because the reveals are fantastic and I had no idea what was to come. I would recommend this book for fans of The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey because both of these books have a similar unsettling vibe. I liked the dystopian elements in this book regarding the Squares and how people have to live in certain ways with history being over. I loved following Dre and found her to be a relatable character as she is thrown into this strange world. I also enjoyed reading from Albie and found his voice to be well done considering him being five years old. This is a really compelling read and I urge people to give this a go when it releases. I’m giving this 4 stars and the only reason this isn’t 5 stars for me is because I wanted more of this world particularly the Squares.
Miss Archer follows Dre Archer who grew up in the Squares and was always told human history was over. One day, she gets recruited as a governess to a five-year-old boy called Albie. Albie has the potential to be a genius but he acts his age often and struggles to read people’s emotions. Albie believes the year is 1884 which is two centuries before Dre was born. Albie lives in a Victorian mansion and believes he is in Germany. All the staff have to maintain the illusion. Dre works hard to become a proper Victorian lady and she quickly bonds with Albie. Dre starts to believe she is actually living in the Victorian era but it is actually the dawn of the 22nd century. Dre wants to know where Albie’s parents are and what she is actually doing with Albie so she starts to flout the rules. Dre has come to love Albie and wants to protect him but that means discovering what’s really going on and uncovering the truth about the false 19th century.
I really enjoyed this book and I think this will be a huge hit for 2027 book releases. This book is written well and it has a lot of intrigue. I don’t want to say too much about this book because to say too much would spoil it. I would recommend going in blind for this book because the reveals are fantastic and I had no idea what was to come. I would recommend this book for fans of The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey because both of these books have a similar unsettling vibe. I liked the dystopian elements in this book regarding the Squares and how people have to live in certain ways with history being over. I loved following Dre and found her to be a relatable character as she is thrown into this strange world. I also enjoyed reading from Albie and found his voice to be well done considering him being five years old. This is a really compelling read and I urge people to give this a go when it releases. I’m giving this 4 stars and the only reason this isn’t 5 stars for me is because I wanted more of this world particularly the Squares.
July 21, 2026
Thank you for the DRC, Harper Collins. Good god, what a STUNNER of a debut. Rating 4 stars only because I probably won’t reread, but my goodness. I ripped through this book, couldn’t stop thinking about it, wanted to read all day during work, and finally logged off for the day and got stuck into the last half of the book. Magnificent.
Dre Archer lives in The Squares (felt very District 12 to me) in the 22nd century at the end of human history. A newcomer arrives to pluck a girl out of obscurity, and Dre is whisked away to a grand Victorian manor on the outskirts of Munich—or is it? Her charge is 5-year-old Albie, a precocious and mischievous boy who Dre quickly falls in love with. Albie believes it is 1884, and a LOT of work goes into maintaining the illusion. Dre takes comportment and etiquette lessons until she can shed her 22nd self like a snakeskin, molding herself into a proper Victorian lady.
I don’t want to give too much away, but I went into this book basically blind, and the pacing and plot twists and reveals along the way were astonishing. For a second I was surprised at the plot twist that happened 37% of the way through and thought it was too early, but having finished the book, I see that the pacing was CORRECT AF. I found this debut to be an aching, melancholic meditation on the magic of childhood, nature v. nurture, and the best—and worst—of humanity. Absolutely wonderful.
Quotes that resonated with me (I highlighted a bunch and then picked from there!):
✨“Even as this storm is gathering in me, there is another part of me that wants Albie to fulfill his destiny. If Albie can grow up to be [redacted], then aren't we still better than our captors? Do we not still have something they need? Albie would be a green blade of grass shooting up from the burned black forest floor.” (Chapter 26)
✨“(Was there ever a greater conspiracy against women than no pockets on dresses?)” (chapter 42)
✨ “It was a vestigial quirk of Homo sapiens—not being able to access every memory at will, as the inorganics could. The great majority of human memories were buried forever as the days piled up. So much of lived experience was simply ...lost. Save for those few moments that were unearthed without warning years later—a whiff of basil at dinner, sending her back to her mother's garden— in a kind of ambush. Maybe it was a gift, this human talent for forgetting. Some of the pain, embarrassment and regret was sifted away, over time. What was a person, in the end, apart from a curated collection of memories? If there truly was a thing called the soul, it was made of what was kept and what was cast away. Because they couldn't be summoned with a command or keystroke, the surviving moments became precious.” (Chapter 43)
Dre Archer lives in The Squares (felt very District 12 to me) in the 22nd century at the end of human history. A newcomer arrives to pluck a girl out of obscurity, and Dre is whisked away to a grand Victorian manor on the outskirts of Munich—or is it? Her charge is 5-year-old Albie, a precocious and mischievous boy who Dre quickly falls in love with. Albie believes it is 1884, and a LOT of work goes into maintaining the illusion. Dre takes comportment and etiquette lessons until she can shed her 22nd self like a snakeskin, molding herself into a proper Victorian lady.
I don’t want to give too much away, but I went into this book basically blind, and the pacing and plot twists and reveals along the way were astonishing. For a second I was surprised at the plot twist that happened 37% of the way through and thought it was too early, but having finished the book, I see that the pacing was CORRECT AF. I found this debut to be an aching, melancholic meditation on the magic of childhood, nature v. nurture, and the best—and worst—of humanity. Absolutely wonderful.
Quotes that resonated with me (I highlighted a bunch and then picked from there!):
✨“Even as this storm is gathering in me, there is another part of me that wants Albie to fulfill his destiny. If Albie can grow up to be [redacted], then aren't we still better than our captors? Do we not still have something they need? Albie would be a green blade of grass shooting up from the burned black forest floor.” (Chapter 26)
✨“(Was there ever a greater conspiracy against women than no pockets on dresses?)” (chapter 42)
✨ “It was a vestigial quirk of Homo sapiens—not being able to access every memory at will, as the inorganics could. The great majority of human memories were buried forever as the days piled up. So much of lived experience was simply ...lost. Save for those few moments that were unearthed without warning years later—a whiff of basil at dinner, sending her back to her mother's garden— in a kind of ambush. Maybe it was a gift, this human talent for forgetting. Some of the pain, embarrassment and regret was sifted away, over time. What was a person, in the end, apart from a curated collection of memories? If there truly was a thing called the soul, it was made of what was kept and what was cast away. Because they couldn't be summoned with a command or keystroke, the surviving moments became precious.” (Chapter 43)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Miss Archer is a wildly accomplished first novel, literary and intellectual, but full of genuine emotion and suspense. It’s hard to say much about the plot without spoilers, and one of the great joys of this book is following it as it unfolds in increasingly unexpected ways. I’ve read plenty of books where I figured out what was going on pretty early, but I didn’t get ahead of this once. I’d encourage you to go in knowing as little as possible.
That said, the book follows Dre (the Miss Archer of the title), who is plucked from the Squares - a human settlement in the 22nd century, in a world no longer controlled by humans. She is taken to a large Victorian house and charged with being a governess to 5-year-old Albie. The circumstances of Albie’s life, the evolution of their relationship, and her quest to understand their situation are the heart of the story.
This book is an unusual blend of dystopian speculative fiction, gothic adventure, and mystery novel. The world-building happens at a very satisfying pace, and the tension ratchets up incrementally until the dam bursts in spectacular fashion. And even then, there are more surprises. The moral and intellectual questions it asks are compelling and timely, but it’s the humanity at the heart of the book that really pulls you through: the growing bond of affection and responsibility Dre feels for Albie, the erotic charge between her and another staff member at the house, the cold prickle in her neck when confronting an incongruity, the restlessness she feels as her instinct interrogate her situation battles with her desire to leave well enough alone so she can continue to live in relative peace and luxury.
Again, hard to say much about it without giving away the joy of its surprises. But suffice it to say that it’s my favorite kind of read - a smart book that’s also a page-turner. Enjoy!
That said, the book follows Dre (the Miss Archer of the title), who is plucked from the Squares - a human settlement in the 22nd century, in a world no longer controlled by humans. She is taken to a large Victorian house and charged with being a governess to 5-year-old Albie. The circumstances of Albie’s life, the evolution of their relationship, and her quest to understand their situation are the heart of the story.
This book is an unusual blend of dystopian speculative fiction, gothic adventure, and mystery novel. The world-building happens at a very satisfying pace, and the tension ratchets up incrementally until the dam bursts in spectacular fashion. And even then, there are more surprises. The moral and intellectual questions it asks are compelling and timely, but it’s the humanity at the heart of the book that really pulls you through: the growing bond of affection and responsibility Dre feels for Albie, the erotic charge between her and another staff member at the house, the cold prickle in her neck when confronting an incongruity, the restlessness she feels as her instinct interrogate her situation battles with her desire to leave well enough alone so she can continue to live in relative peace and luxury.
Again, hard to say much about it without giving away the joy of its surprises. But suffice it to say that it’s my favorite kind of read - a smart book that’s also a page-turner. Enjoy!
July 6, 2026
Miss Archer is one of those rare novels that feels both utterly fresh and timeless. Jordan Harrison folds Gothic atmosphere, speculative strangeness, and emotional clarity into a story that is as gripping as it is unsettling. Dre Archer’s journey—from obedient governess to determined truth‑seeker—unfurls with a quiet, irresistible momentum. I found myself completely absorbed.
The Victorian manor, preserved like a snow globe against the 22nd century, is a brilliant setting: eerie, elegant, and humming with secrets. Harrison uses it not just as backdrop but as a pressure chamber, tightening the tension as Dre’s questions multiply. Her relationship with Albie is beautifully drawn—tender, frustrating, and deeply human—and it gives the novel its beating heart.
What impressed me most is how deftly the book balances mystery with emotion. Each revelation feels earned, each twist sharp but never showy. The Russian‑doll structure of the secrets is especially satisfying, peeling back layers of identity, control, and the stories we tell to survive.
For a debut, this is astonishingly assured. Harrison explores our nostalgia for the analogue world while asking what it means to be real, to be seen, to belong. It’s atmospheric, propulsive, and quietly profound.
I’ll be thinking about Dre and Albie for a long time.
With thanks to Jordan Harrison, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The Victorian manor, preserved like a snow globe against the 22nd century, is a brilliant setting: eerie, elegant, and humming with secrets. Harrison uses it not just as backdrop but as a pressure chamber, tightening the tension as Dre’s questions multiply. Her relationship with Albie is beautifully drawn—tender, frustrating, and deeply human—and it gives the novel its beating heart.
What impressed me most is how deftly the book balances mystery with emotion. Each revelation feels earned, each twist sharp but never showy. The Russian‑doll structure of the secrets is especially satisfying, peeling back layers of identity, control, and the stories we tell to survive.
For a debut, this is astonishingly assured. Harrison explores our nostalgia for the analogue world while asking what it means to be real, to be seen, to belong. It’s atmospheric, propulsive, and quietly profound.
I’ll be thinking about Dre and Albie for a long time.
With thanks to Jordan Harrison, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really wanted to love Miss Archer, but unfortunately it never quite hit the bullseye.
The beginning was very slow and I didn’t feel like there was enough story-building. I wanted to know more about what was actually going on, where they were living and what had happened to the world. Instead, I spent quite a lot of the book feeling as confused as Miss Archer probably was.
That said, I did appreciate the slower moments for making the characters feel more “real”. They weren’t just there to move the plot along, and I did feel like I got to know them as people.
My biggest issue was the ending. I liked the gothic atmosphere then it surned supernatural for a paragraph..Why did the experiment carry on? And why did she continue working there when she had supposedly realised how wrong it all was? She sees her father and suddenly it’s all fine now? Apparently one family reunion is enough to cure a moral crisis.
There were definitely interesting ideas here, and I kept reading because I wanted answers. I just wish the story had spent less time drawing the bow and more time actually firing the arrow.
Three stars: not a complete miss, but it didn’t quite hit the target.
The beginning was very slow and I didn’t feel like there was enough story-building. I wanted to know more about what was actually going on, where they were living and what had happened to the world. Instead, I spent quite a lot of the book feeling as confused as Miss Archer probably was.
That said, I did appreciate the slower moments for making the characters feel more “real”. They weren’t just there to move the plot along, and I did feel like I got to know them as people.
My biggest issue was the ending. I liked the gothic atmosphere then it surned supernatural for a paragraph..Why did the experiment carry on? And why did she continue working there when she had supposedly realised how wrong it all was? She sees her father and suddenly it’s all fine now? Apparently one family reunion is enough to cure a moral crisis.
There were definitely interesting ideas here, and I kept reading because I wanted answers. I just wish the story had spent less time drawing the bow and more time actually firing the arrow.
Three stars: not a complete miss, but it didn’t quite hit the target.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advanced copy from Netgalley.
At first glance, Miss Archer is a story about a 19th century governess looking after her young, precocious charge Albie. And I was expecting Jane Eyre/Rebecca-esque twists and turns about what is hiding beneath the surface of this unsettling home. Why was this seemingly under qualified young woman hired? Oh, and why is everyone pretending it's 1884 when we know it's at least 200 years later...?
What you really get is so much more. Miss Archer, yes, draws from Gothic literature and paints a suspenseful picture from start to finish. But it's also dystopian, and reminiscent in many parts of The Handmaid's Tale and 1984, all whilst remaining a truly unique book.
I only have one complaint (confusion maybe) about the novel that unfortunately is a spoiler and would definitely ruin it for people, but the experience of reading this was so enjoyable that I can forgive it.
If you're looking for a typical world-building Sci-Fi novel, this isn't it, but if you want to read something with heart, twists and an unsettling undertone, I'd wholeheartedly recommend Miss Archer.
Thanks again to Penguin General UK and Netgalley for this ARC.
At first glance, Miss Archer is a story about a 19th century governess looking after her young, precocious charge Albie. And I was expecting Jane Eyre/Rebecca-esque twists and turns about what is hiding beneath the surface of this unsettling home. Why was this seemingly under qualified young woman hired? Oh, and why is everyone pretending it's 1884 when we know it's at least 200 years later...?
What you really get is so much more. Miss Archer, yes, draws from Gothic literature and paints a suspenseful picture from start to finish. But it's also dystopian, and reminiscent in many parts of The Handmaid's Tale and 1984, all whilst remaining a truly unique book.
I only have one complaint (confusion maybe) about the novel that unfortunately is a spoiler and would definitely ruin it for people, but the experience of reading this was so enjoyable that I can forgive it.
If you're looking for a typical world-building Sci-Fi novel, this isn't it, but if you want to read something with heart, twists and an unsettling undertone, I'd wholeheartedly recommend Miss Archer.
Thanks again to Penguin General UK and Netgalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!
This book started off extremely strong and unfortunately was quite disappointing in the latter half. We follow our main character, Dre, who becomes a governess for a child who believes he lives in 1884. As a concept this is incredibly intriguing and both the descriptions as well as the various characters were well-done, alongside the initial pacing. In my opinion, however, the author was trying to do a bit much with this novel. The mix of gothic, drama and speculative fiction felt clunky and jarring at times and the plot twist as well as the ending bordered on the absurd (and not in a positive "absurdist literature" manner). Whilst this book was a fun read overall, the lack of cohesion means I won't rush to pick this one up again.
This book started off extremely strong and unfortunately was quite disappointing in the latter half. We follow our main character, Dre, who becomes a governess for a child who believes he lives in 1884. As a concept this is incredibly intriguing and both the descriptions as well as the various characters were well-done, alongside the initial pacing. In my opinion, however, the author was trying to do a bit much with this novel. The mix of gothic, drama and speculative fiction felt clunky and jarring at times and the plot twist as well as the ending bordered on the absurd (and not in a positive "absurdist literature" manner). Whilst this book was a fun read overall, the lack of cohesion means I won't rush to pick this one up again.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A bizarre, lovely book that I found myself absolutely loving. The Never Let Me Go comp is apt, but I found myself liking this even more—likely because this is very much a contemporary story for the age of AI. Even its ridiculousnesses rang true. Some of the plot stuff at the end stretched my credulousness, but I found myself not really minding. These characters were really gorgeous and made the familiar plot beats of a story like this feel fresh.
Wish they’d given it a package that did the book more justice though. The cover is AWFUL and gives way more generic thriller than interesting speculative sci fi/gothic. They had so much to play with here that they just left on the table. I hope it does well enough to have a pb so they can change the cover !
Wish they’d given it a package that did the book more justice though. The cover is AWFUL and gives way more generic thriller than interesting speculative sci fi/gothic. They had so much to play with here that they just left on the table. I hope it does well enough to have a pb so they can change the cover !
July 9, 2026
This was a really interesting book to review. A strong dystopian start, made me think of The Handmaid’s Tale/ Hunger Games. I was really intrigued about The Squares and life there, but then the story goes in a completely different direction, which I didn’t really engage with. Surprisingly graphic and sensual in the middle which is cleverly at odds with the 1800’s that Dre & Albie are forced to live in. Did I enjoy it? I’m not really sure, but it is unusual and original, but I was still left wanting to know more about The Squares! Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the review copy
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A young woman is given the opportunity to escape her life in The Squares and goes to work in an isolated mansion to care for a 5 year old boy. The reader is aware that this isn't a world we know, things have changed and we wait for things to be revealed. This novel is out of the blocks and running immediately and it pulls you along with it. However, when the reveals happen the novel seems to run out of steam, there's a lot of unanswered questions and it feels as if the plot gave way leaving a weaker ending. I was expecting answers to the world and the reason for the central plot line. It could've been great but ....
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Extraordinary!
I like a book with something different to offer and I got it in spades with this one. It started with a feel of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale but very quickly moved on as Miss Andrea Archer is offered the job of governess to a very intelligent five-year old boy – it is better to know little more of the plot in advance and dive in and discover it for yourself. It is a real page-turner with very unexpected twists along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Many thanks to Jordan Harrison, Penguin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy, it is much appreciated.
I like a book with something different to offer and I got it in spades with this one. It started with a feel of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale but very quickly moved on as Miss Andrea Archer is offered the job of governess to a very intelligent five-year old boy – it is better to know little more of the plot in advance and dive in and discover it for yourself. It is a real page-turner with very unexpected twists along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Many thanks to Jordan Harrison, Penguin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy, it is much appreciated.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Netgalley review. A happy ending that leaves you feeling hollowed out, heartbroken and yet relieved. The kind of book that shakes up your beliefs of what even a happy end is and if there really is such a thing.
This is the kind of book you will have on your shelf and keep coming back to. Dystopian in a not so distant way, you could almost say this is prophetic, eerily so.
The writing, story and characters are carefully crafted, their thoughts, stories, mannerisms. Rich, vibrant, dull, uplifting and devastating all at the same time. Which only makes this book better.
This is not a satisfying read, and it's not comforting. It falls just short of confronting while still niggling at you.
What it means to be a parent, even if not biologically. To love, even if not deeply. To live, even if not fully.
A book that will stay with you much longer that you stayed with it. Highly recommended!!
This is the kind of book you will have on your shelf and keep coming back to. Dystopian in a not so distant way, you could almost say this is prophetic, eerily so.
The writing, story and characters are carefully crafted, their thoughts, stories, mannerisms. Rich, vibrant, dull, uplifting and devastating all at the same time. Which only makes this book better.
This is not a satisfying read, and it's not comforting. It falls just short of confronting while still niggling at you.
What it means to be a parent, even if not biologically. To love, even if not deeply. To live, even if not fully.
A book that will stay with you much longer that you stayed with it. Highly recommended!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed Miss Archer and was easily drawn into the story and its twists. Both Dre and Albie were interesting characters and the alternating chapters worked well. I wanted more though. More explanation about the why of the actual situation and more about Dre's world before coming to the mansion. I could easily read 100 pages more if it was fleshed out a bit further. I thought the end was a bit abrupt, but satisfying.
That said, it was a fun read, and I was happy to follow where it went. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
That said, it was a fun read, and I was happy to follow where it went. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved 'Miss Archer'. The atmosphere and settings are very powerful, an unusual blend of gothic and science fiction. The writing is very engaging and the characters easy to like. I raced through the novel, and have been thinking about it for days. I am impressed that this is a debut.
I am left wanting more, more of the Squares, more on life before that, more on what comes next. Very rarely do I find myself crossing my fingers for a sequel (and a prequel), but I am now. The book itself was very satisfying, I just want more time in this world.
I am left wanting more, more of the Squares, more on life before that, more on what comes next. Very rarely do I find myself crossing my fingers for a sequel (and a prequel), but I am now. The book itself was very satisfying, I just want more time in this world.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book before publication.
Miss Archer by Jordan Harrison is one of those books that's best read knowing as little as possible beforehand. The story blends the past and the future, leaving you constantly questioning what's really happening and eager to uncover the truth. Every chapter draws you in a little more, making it difficult to stop reading. Cleverly written and full of intrigue, it's a novel that rewards your curiosity and keeps you guessing.
Miss Archer by Jordan Harrison is one of those books that's best read knowing as little as possible beforehand. The story blends the past and the future, leaving you constantly questioning what's really happening and eager to uncover the truth. Every chapter draws you in a little more, making it difficult to stop reading. Cleverly written and full of intrigue, it's a novel that rewards your curiosity and keeps you guessing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into this book completely blind— hadn’t even read the description. I suggest you do the same. The description reveals way too much. Hard to describe this book. A little dystopian? A little science fiction? A little historical fiction, perhaps? I loved unfolding the secrets of the plot as the book went on. It's one of those books that sticks with you a while-- I'm still thinking about it and mulling it over the next day. This is a must-read. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This is my own unbiased review.
June 21, 2026
I’m not really sure how I feel about Miss Archer. I loved some of the characterisation of Dre, Albie and Ms Greenleaf but I found it a confused plot. The initial reveal made me roll my eyes and that feeling didn’t really go away. The moral was pretty heavy handed and I found it lacking with clarity outside of the moral. I’m not sure it knew entirely what it was trying to be. I wanted much more dystopia or more gothic or more of anything that made it have a point of view.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've read a lot of sci-fi, and I'd read more from Jordan Harrison. I'm an impatient reader, but this book didn't lose me. I went in knowing almost nothing, and I recommend other readers do the same. So why should you pick up this book? Miss Archer is a character you care for as much as her charge, Albie, and Harrison doles out detail about both. This is not a comfortable read, but it stayed with me. I finished Miss Archer wanting a sequel so I could learn more about them and their world.
Read
August 9, 20263.0. This was my first foray into sci-fi dystopian books. Story of a young woman who leaves a dystopian enclave (the squares) to become a governess to a 5 yo named Albie being raised in the 19th century to be Albert Einstein. Ms archer comes to love her Albie and wants to tell him the truth about his reality (like the Truman show). It was an interesting story and I still am not a fan of this type of novel.
Review of advance copy
I devoured this book in a day and haven’t stopped thinking about it in the weeks since. Not generally drawn to dystopia, I was surprised that I got swept up in it so quickly and even wanted to stay in that world a bit longer. Hoping this is the start of a series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A fabulous debut. Go straight in without reading anything about it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 stars. Very creative premise and fabulous implementation of it.
July 28, 2026
This story was definitely not what I expected, especially once the twists started coming together. Dre Archer grows up believing that human history is over, only to be recruited as a governess for a strange and intelligent five-year-old boy named Albie. Even though the story takes place in the future, Albie believes it is 1884, and everyone inside his family’s Victorian manor works hard to keep that illusion alive.
I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding the house, Albie’s missing parents, Dre’s employers, and what her job actually involved. Watching Dre learn how to become “Miss Archer” through corsets, manners, and strict expectations was interesting, especially as her connection with Albie became more real. The story kept me guessing, and I was not expecting the twists or the final outcome.
There were some spicy scenes that I was definitely NOT expecting, and honestly, I did not think they were needed for the story to be told. In my opinion, those scenes took away from the mystery and the rest of the story rather than adding anything important. Overall, though, it was a good and memorable read. I am not sure I would reread it, but I am glad I read it, and the unexpected direction of the story made it a solid four-star book for me.
I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding the house, Albie’s missing parents, Dre’s employers, and what her job actually involved. Watching Dre learn how to become “Miss Archer” through corsets, manners, and strict expectations was interesting, especially as her connection with Albie became more real. The story kept me guessing, and I was not expecting the twists or the final outcome.
There were some spicy scenes that I was definitely NOT expecting, and honestly, I did not think they were needed for the story to be told. In my opinion, those scenes took away from the mystery and the rest of the story rather than adding anything important. Overall, though, it was a good and memorable read. I am not sure I would reread it, but I am glad I read it, and the unexpected direction of the story made it a solid four-star book for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jordan Harrison drops a strange, filtered reality into our laps. Dre Archer enters a Victorian manor that insists on staying in 1884 while the rest of the world rots in the future. It is a simulation of the past played out in a high-stakes, controlled cage. The tension thrives not on what is hidden, but on why anyone would bother hiding it at all.
Pacing mimics the stifling corset Dre wears. It begins as a slow study in obedience before unraveling into a frantic chase for answers. Harrison plays with the disconnect between digital cynicism and analogue longing, forcing the reader to weigh the comfort of a lie against the cold brutality of the truth. Dre’s internal shift from employee to protector feels earned, though the surrounding household occasionally drifts into caricature.
The author uses a recursive, layered narrative strategy to mimic the titular Russian doll effect. This works well to maintain constant momentum, though it leaves little room for the supporting cast to breathe outside of their assigned roles. It is a sharp examination of how we choose to build our own prisons once we realize the outside world has nothing left to offer.
For those who like their speculative fiction with a heavy dose of paranoia, avoid if you want a straightforward timeline or logical explanations for everything.
Pacing mimics the stifling corset Dre wears. It begins as a slow study in obedience before unraveling into a frantic chase for answers. Harrison plays with the disconnect between digital cynicism and analogue longing, forcing the reader to weigh the comfort of a lie against the cold brutality of the truth. Dre’s internal shift from employee to protector feels earned, though the surrounding household occasionally drifts into caricature.
The author uses a recursive, layered narrative strategy to mimic the titular Russian doll effect. This works well to maintain constant momentum, though it leaves little room for the supporting cast to breathe outside of their assigned roles. It is a sharp examination of how we choose to build our own prisons once we realize the outside world has nothing left to offer.
For those who like their speculative fiction with a heavy dose of paranoia, avoid if you want a straightforward timeline or logical explanations for everything.
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